The Design of Schools Affects the Students Learning
typical school building
The exterior of the Calhoun School
typical classroom
well designed classroom at High Tech High International
Above are pictures of a typical school building and classroom, along with a specifically designed classroom and building. Which provides the best learning environment and enhances learning? The design of a school can effect the students and their learning. Daniel Pink the author of A Whole New Mind states in his book that there are six senses that will lead to success in the Conceptual Age. Design is the first of the senses. Pink says that creating a product that is functional is no longer enough, he says it is rewarding to create something that is beautiful and emotionally engaging. Design is hard to outsource and to automate, making it a crucial part of everything including in the school environment. In some people's opinions a well-designed school can be distracting but others say that it only enhances learning and allows full potential when it comes to learning. In Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, Design is one of the six senses that will lead to success in the Conceptual Age; the Design of schools impacts the way a student learns due to the structure of the school, the student space available, and the classrooms where the learning takes place.
Every school has a different look and design; they all have their own structure. The location of the gym, cafeteria, and library affect the learning of students. When asked "Do you like where the cafeteria, gym, library, bathroom, and forum are located?", a student stated, "I think I would change the library to the very middle of the school and move the class rooms to the edges, and if I couldn't make another bathroom on the other side of the school I would just switch it to the middle as well." It would be much more convenient if the library and restrooms were in the center of the school because the structure of the school should meet the needs of the students. This will allow them to be comfortable which can enhance education. Having the library in the center of the school makes it an easy access and more convenient for the students to learn. The important parts of the school should be located in the center of the schools structure. The way the school is laid out affects the students directly, in the article "Learning Space" by Ann Geracimos, the things that proved most effective were a fireplace, clean hallways painted in school colors, solid wood cabinets, natural light, vinyl flooring, and non-toxic carpet tiles. Along with the location of important parts of the school the location of the school itself impacts the students and their education. Schools are all located in different areas, some are more isolated and others are in the middle of urban areas. In an article entitled “Building Schools That Enhance Learning” it states “location affects many things, such as travel time to and from school, proximity to learning resources, the diversity of the student body, access to parents and patterns of community development” (Building).The location of a school can cause the students an inconvenience on their way to school and can limit their resources therefore this prohibits the students learning.The surroundings of the school can cause the kids to not want to go to school, so the school’s location is a crucial aspect in learning.The location of the school and the important parts of the school impact the education of the students; the important divisions of the school should be located in the center of the school or somewhere that it is easy to access and the school should be located in an area that provides luxuries for students but still encourages them to go and stay in school.
Students need space to study, complete assignments, to collaborate with other students outside of the classroom but still inside the school; the Design of this space can limit or boost the amount a student learns. A plain Design or lack of student space can prohibit learning and provide an inconvience for the students. One student stated, "I don't like the amount of student space available at my school because the only place you can really work is the library or the cafeteria. I think it's flat out stupid to have to work in the lunchroom", when he was asked about the student space available at his school. Students obviously want a place where they can do work but where it is not too loud and full of distractions. The lack of space where students can do their work can make them uncomfortable with their school. In, "Design Matters: How School environment Affects Children", Hebert states, "Public areas are designed to foster a sense of community, cooperation, and comfort throughtout the building" (Hebert). Without these public ares there is a lack of cooperation and comfort. Only having two places to collaborate with others can limit learning possibilities. On the other hand, a space Designed specifically to enhance students learning allows the students to expand their ideas and can allow them to attain knowledge for themselves. In the article, "Design Matters: How School environment Affects Children", Elizabeth A. Hebert says, "the organization of space has a profound effect on learning. Students feel better connected to a building that anticipates their needs and respects them as individuals" (Herbert). An organized space Designed to meet the needs of the children has a direct impact on their learning. The kids feel better about their school and their learning when their space fits their needs. Having an organized space can boost learning and can allow kids to expand their ideas. A well-designed space makes a student excited about learning and provides a comfortable environment for the expansion of knowledge compared to plain space or a school with a lack of space.
an example of student space
Classrooms are the areas where all the learning takes place and it is vital that this part of the school provides students with a place where it is easy to learn so the students can retain the things they learn. The physical aspects of the classroom can affect the students behavior and increase their learning. In the article, "Design Matters: How School environment Affects Children", Hebert writes, "The look and feel of a school matter to children and are deeply connected to their attitudes" (Hebert). Later on in the article she explains that the childrens self esteem, sense of belonging, and needs for control over their world and boundaries that guide to control, "can be shaped through the thoughtful design of the school and classroom environments"(Hebert). According to Hebert the way a classroom is designed affects the learners' behavior, in this case for the better. The design of the classroom can lead the students to have more respect towards their school, teachers, and learning. The physical shape of the classrooms proves most effective when the classroom is in the shape of an "L", with lows ceilings, and doors leading outdoors. As well as the physical aspects things such as the lighting and the color of the walls affect the knowledge of students. In, "Learning Space", by Ann Geracimos an architect from Suman Sorg of Sorg & Associates said, "Now we want light and windows to encourage minds to wander off where they might go" (Geracimos). Natural light and windows can allow young minds to wander on and continue their learning beyond the classroom. Later on in this article they say there is an adoption of brighter colors all around school and according to Mr. Chatelain an experienced school designer, "It makes a more interesting environment to be in. It's not busy, but it's not dull either" (Geracimos). The physical design, the color of the walls, and the lighting of a classroom, allows those who are being educates to expand their thoughts beyond the classroom walls and make them more comfortable with their environment.
In Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, Design is one of the six senses that will lead to success in the Conceptual Age; the Design of schools impacts the way a student learns due to the structure of the school, the student space available, and the classrooms where the learning takes place. The structure of the school is important to increase the comfort of the students. Many students agreed that the important parts of the school should be made easier to access and find and that there should be more restrooms in and around schools. The student space available is vital to students learning and if there is a lack of it it can limit the knowledge that the students acquire. The physical structure of classrooms make students more or less comfortable. Classrooms in the shape of an "L" provide many different uses such as "adjacent workrooms to facilitate large block designs, science centers, and ongoing projects or to serve as a technology center in the intermediate level classrooms" (Hebert). Minor aspects such as lighting and the color of the walls are key to enhancing students learning. Natural lights and windows allow students to expand their ideas and thoughts outside of the classroom and school walls. Brighter colors provide a more comfortable and interesting environment. The pictures at the top of the page are examples of typical school structures and classrooms and specifically designed structures and classrooms, which provides the best learning environment and enhances learning? The specifically designed building and classroom obviously provide the best learning environment and can enhance learning.
This is Designshare's design of a school that will best fit the needs of its students and provide the best learning environment
Above are pictures of a typical school building and classroom, along with a specifically designed classroom and building. Which provides the best learning environment and enhances learning? The design of a school can effect the students and their learning. Daniel Pink the author of A Whole New Mind states in his book that there are six senses that will lead to success in the Conceptual Age. Design is the first of the senses. Pink says that creating a product that is functional is no longer enough, he says it is rewarding to create something that is beautiful and emotionally engaging. Design is hard to outsource and to automate, making it a crucial part of everything including in the school environment. In some people's opinions a well-designed school can be distracting but others say that it only enhances learning and allows full potential when it comes to learning. In Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, Design is one of the six senses that will lead to success in the Conceptual Age; the Design of schools impacts the way a student learns due to the structure of the school, the student space available, and the classrooms where the learning takes place.
Every school has a different look and design; they all have their own structure. The location of the gym, cafeteria, and library affect the learning of students. When asked "Do you like where the cafeteria, gym, library, bathroom, and forum are located?", a student stated, "I think I would change the library to the very middle of the school and move the class rooms to the edges, and if I couldn't make another bathroom on the other side of the school I would just switch it to the middle as well." It would be much more convenient if the library and restrooms were in the center of the school because the structure of the school should meet the needs of the students. This will allow them to be comfortable which can enhance education. Having the library in the center of the school makes it an easy access and more convenient for the students to learn. The important parts of the school should be located in the center of the schools structure. The way the school is laid out affects the students directly, in the article "Learning Space" by Ann Geracimos, the things that proved most effective were a fireplace, clean hallways painted in school colors, solid wood cabinets, natural light, vinyl flooring, and non-toxic carpet tiles. Along with the location of important parts of the school the location of the school itself impacts the students and their education. Schools are all located in different areas, some are more isolated and others are in the middle of urban areas. In an article entitled “Building Schools That Enhance Learning” it states “location affects many things, such as travel time to and from school, proximity to learning resources, the diversity of the student body, access to parents and patterns of community development” (Building). The location of a school can cause the students an inconvenience on their way to school and can limit their resources therefore this prohibits the students learning. The surroundings of the school can cause the kids to not want to go to school, so the school’s location is a crucial aspect in learning. The location of the school and the important parts of the school impact the education of the students; the important divisions of the school should be located in the center of the school or somewhere that it is easy to access and the school should be located in an area that provides luxuries for students but still encourages them to go and stay in school.
Students need space to study, complete assignments, to collaborate with other students outside of the classroom but still inside the school; the Design of this space can limit or boost the amount a student learns. A plain Design or lack of student space can prohibit learning and provide an inconvience for the students. One student stated, "I don't like the amount of student space available at my school because the only place you can really work is the library or the cafeteria. I think it's flat out stupid to have to work in the lunchroom", when he was asked about the student space available at his school. Students obviously want a place where they can do work but where it is not too loud and full of distractions. The lack of space where students can do their work can make them uncomfortable with their school. In, "Design Matters: How School environment Affects Children", Hebert states, "Public areas are designed to foster a sense of community, cooperation, and comfort throughtout the building" (Hebert). Without these public ares there is a lack of cooperation and comfort. Only having two places to collaborate with others can limit learning possibilities. On the other hand, a space Designed specifically to enhance students learning allows the students to expand their ideas and can allow them to attain knowledge for themselves. In the article, "Design Matters: How School environment Affects Children", Elizabeth A. Hebert says, "the organization of space has a profound effect on learning. Students feel better connected to a building that anticipates their needs and respects them as individuals" (Herbert). An organized space Designed to meet the needs of the children has a direct impact on their learning. The kids feel better about their school and their learning when their space fits their needs. Having an organized space can boost learning and can allow kids to expand their ideas. A well-designed space makes a student excited about learning and provides a comfortable environment for the expansion of knowledge compared to plain space or a school with a lack of space.
Classrooms are the areas where all the learning takes place and it is vital that this part of the school provides students with a place where it is easy to learn so the students can retain the things they learn. The physical aspects of the classroom can affect the students behavior and increase their learning. In the article, "Design Matters: How School environment Affects Children", Hebert writes, "The look and feel of a school matter to children and are deeply connected to their attitudes" (Hebert). Later on in the article she explains that the childrens self esteem, sense of belonging, and needs for control over their world and boundaries that guide to control, "can be shaped through the thoughtful design of the school and classroom environments"(Hebert). According to Hebert the way a classroom is designed affects the learners' behavior, in this case for the better. The design of the classroom can lead the students to have more respect towards their school, teachers, and learning. The physical shape of the classrooms proves most effective when the classroom is in the shape of an "L", with lows ceilings, and doors leading outdoors. As well as the physical aspects things such as the lighting and the color of the walls affect the knowledge of students. In, "Learning Space", by Ann Geracimos an architect from Suman Sorg of Sorg & Associates said, "Now we want light and windows to encourage minds to wander off where they might go" (Geracimos). Natural light and windows can allow young minds to wander on and continue their learning beyond the classroom. Later on in this article they say there is an adoption of brighter colors all around school and according to Mr. Chatelain an experienced school designer, "It makes a more interesting environment to be in. It's not busy, but it's not dull either" (Geracimos). The physical design, the color of the walls, and the lighting of a classroom, allows those who are being educates to expand their thoughts beyond the classroom walls and make them more comfortable with their environment.
In Daniel Pink's A Whole New Mind, Design is one of the six senses that will lead to success in the Conceptual Age; the Design of schools impacts the way a student learns due to the structure of the school, the student space available, and the classrooms where the learning takes place. The structure of the school is important to increase the comfort of the students. Many students agreed that the important parts of the school should be made easier to access and find and that there should be more restrooms in and around schools. The student space available is vital to students learning and if there is a lack of it it can limit the knowledge that the students acquire. The physical structure of classrooms make students more or less comfortable. Classrooms in the shape of an "L" provide many different uses such as "adjacent workrooms to facilitate large block designs, science centers, and ongoing projects or to serve as a technology center in the intermediate level classrooms" (Hebert). Minor aspects such as lighting and the color of the walls are key to enhancing students learning. Natural lights and windows allow students to expand their ideas and thoughts outside of the classroom and school walls. Brighter colors provide a more comfortable and interesting environment. The pictures at the top of the page are examples of typical school structures and classrooms and specifically designed structures and classrooms, which provides the best learning environment and enhances learning? The specifically designed building and classroom obviously provide the best learning environment and can enhance learning.
Works Cited
"Building Schools That Enhance Learning." Asumag.Com. 1998. American School and University. 1 Mar. 2008 <http://asumag.com/mag/university_building_schools_enhance/>.
http://www.designshare.com/index.php/design-patterns/bringing-it-all-together
Geracimos, Ann. "Learning Space." Ebscohost. The Washington Times. 1 Mar. 2008 <http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=6&hid=17&sid=e90f5f48-72d7-44fe-83e7-5671c03ea0d1%40sessionmgr2>.
Hebert, Elizabeth A. "Desing Matters: How School Environment Affects Children." Ebscohost. Sept. 98. 1 Mar. 2008 <http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=5&hid=17&sid=e90f5f48-72d7-44fe-83e7-5671c03ea0d1%40sessionmgr2>.
http://smith9h0708.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-have-few-questions-i-need-you-to.html
Pictures courtesy of google images and designshare.com
http://images.google.com/images?gbv=2&hl=en&q=+site:www.designshare.com+design+share+classrooms